Extracranial Head Research Articles

An algorithm for treating extracranial head and neck schwannomas

Surgical resection of extracranial head and neck schwannomas (ECHNS) may be associated with major morbidity, but some ECHNSs can be safely treated expectantly. The aim of this study is to present a large case series and an algorithm for therapeutic decision-making in the management of ECHNS. The clinical records of patients diagnosed and treated for ECHNS between 1999 and 2012 at The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center were reviewed retrospectively. All relevant demographic and medical data were extracted, among them presenting symptoms, surgical approaches, nerve of origin, complications and follow-up. A total of 53 patients with ECHNS were included in this clinical study. There were 29 males and 24 females whose mean age was 49.2 years, and all were treated surgically. The schwannomas originated from the brachial plexus, sympathetic chain, vagus nerve, trigeminal nerve, lip, hypoglossal nerve and larynx. Intracapsular enucleation was performed in 32 (60 %) patients, and the remaining 21 (40 %) patients underwent complete excision of the tumor with the involved nerve segment. Thirty-two patients (60 %) had postoperative neurological deficits. This study provides an algorithm to serve as a guideline in the decision-making process for this patient population. Although there is abundant evidence regarding the efficacy of radiotherapy for acoustic schwannoma, the value of radiotherapy as a treatment alternative for patients with ECNHS, especially those unsuitable for surgery, has not been established and further studies are warranted.

Solitary fibrous tumours in the extracranial head and neck region: correlation of CT and MR features with pathologic findings.

Solitary fibrous tumours (SFTs) are rare, mesenchymal neoplasms. The purpose of this study was to analyse the radiological and clinicopathological features of SFTs in the extracranial head and neck region. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and pathological features in 18 patients (12 men and 6 women), aged 18-75years, with histologically proven SFTs in the extracranial head and neck region. Fourteen patients underwent CT scanning and nine underwent MRI. The histological techniques included routine haematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical analysis. Clinical data were retrieved from the medical records. Most tumours presented as a slow-growing painless mass. Eighteen SFTs arose in the orbit, cheek, masticator space, the parapharyngeal space, infratemporal fossa, maxillary, submandibular space and the parotid gland, respectively. All 18 lesions were found as a solitary mass, ranging in size from 1.2 to 6.8cm (mean 3.57cm). They mostly presented with an ovoid shape, with well-defined margin, and isodensity on plain CT, isointensity on T1-weighted imaging, mild hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging, and marked heterogeneous enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT and MRI. The time-intensity curves (TICs) exhibited a rapidly enhancing and slow washout pattern on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and dual-phase CT. Imaging findings of the SFTs depended on the histopathological components. SFTs most commonly present with an asymptomatic mass in adults. A solitary, ovoid and well-defined mass with strong enhancement after contrast agent injection is suggestive of this diagnosis. Rapidly enhancing and slow washout pattern TICs may be additional valuable features.

Management of Benign Head and Neck Tumors

: Endovascular procedures for benign head and neck tumors include embolization, stenting, and balloon test occlusion. A transarterial (or endovascular) approach forms the mainstay of treatment for head and neck bleeding as well as for transarterial chemotherapy for head and neck neoplasms. A combination of percutaneous and transarterial approaches may be needed in the embolization of high-flow craniofacial vascular malformations (VMs) and hypervascular tumors. This is a review of the current clinical applications of a variety of percutaneous and endovascular interventional procedures of the extracranial head and neck. The tumors that require embolization in the head and neck most commonly include glomus tumors, angiofibromas, and meningiomas. Many other types of tumors that may also require preoperative embolization include the following: hypervascular metastases, esthesioneuroblastomas, schwannomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, plasmacytomas, chordomas, and hemangiopericytomas. The goal of tumor embolization is to selectively occlude the external carotid artery (ECA) feeders through intratumoral deposition of embolic material. The embolic agents in common use are polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Embospheres (BioSphere Medical, Rockland, Mass), liquid embolic agents (glue, ethylvinyl alcohol copolymer [EVOH], or Onyx [ev3, Irvine, Calif]), gelatin sponge (Gelfoam; Phadia, Uppsala, Sweden), and coils. The embolization is ideally performed 24-72 hours before surgical resection to allow maximal thrombosis of the occluded vessels and prevent recanalization of the occluded arteries or formation of collateral arterial channels. Preoperative embolization is cost-effective and tends to shorten operation time by reducing blood loss and the period of recovery.

Experience of head and neck extracranial schwannomas in a whole population-based single-center patient series

Due to their rarity most of the literature concerning head and neck extracranial schwannomas consists of case reports and small patient series. The aim of the study was to describe population-based incidence, presenting signs and symptoms, management and outcome of head and neck extracranial schwannomas in a larger patient group. All the head and neck extracranial schwannoma patients managed during 1987-2008 at the Helsinki University Central Hospital with a referral area of 1.5 million inhabitants were searched. Altogether 47 patients were identified and subjected to retrospective chart review. Population-based incidence of head and neck extracranial schwannomas was 0.14/100,000/year. Eighty-eight percent of the patients had symptoms, which had lasted on average for 11.5 months prior to diagnosis. Presenting signs and symptoms were diverse depending on the affected nerve. Ninety-four percent of the patients were treated surgically. Sixty-four percent of the operations were macroscopically radical. The tumor capsule was intentionally left in place in 9 %. Surgery-related complications were detected in only 7 % of the patients, but 1 month postoperatively 52 % of them had symptoms, majority relating to different nerve deficits. Treatment of extracranial head and neck schwannomas remains challenging. The tumor is benign, and it grows slowly in a vast majority of cases, but its symptoms are highly variable. Correct timing of surgery is essential, as also patients who are preoperatively asymptomatic may suffer severe postoperative morbidity. Preoperative patient counseling needs to address the risks of neurological sequelae.

Smell and taste in patients with vascular malformation of the extracranial head and neck region.

Olfactory and gustatory functions have not been investigated in patients with vascular malformation of the extracranial head and neck region with validated smell and taste tests. Although olfactory and gustatory deficiencies are often not outwardly apparent, they substantially affect daily life. Smell and taste tests using sniffin sticks and taste strips were administered in 40 patients. For all age groups and both sexes, odor threshold (THR) values were, on average, lower in patients than in healthy individuals; whereas, values of odor identification and discrimination were not significantly lower. Regarding odor THR, 33 (82.5%) patients were hyposmic. Taste values (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and total taste) were, on average, lower in patients than in healthy individuals; 21 (52.5%) patients were hypogeusic. Disease duration did not correlate with smell and taste test values. Patients with and without tongue involvement had decreased odor threshold and taste values. No significant differences were identified when taste values on the left and right sides of the tongue were compared in patients without tongue involvement and with unilateral and bilateral tongue involvement. Patients with venous malformations had lower smell test values, and patients with lymphatic malformations had lower taste test values than patients with other malformations. Patients exhibit significantly reduced olfactory and gustatory function even when the nose and/or tongue are not malformed. Patients should be tested with validated smell and taste tests to adequately inform and advise them about overcoming smell and taste deficits.

O-020 Head and Neck Endovascular Repair of Vascular Malformations

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of ethanol embolotherapy of extracranial head and neck vascular malformations of all types, particularly after failure of other endovascular and surgical treatments.MethodsOne hundred and sixty-six patients...

Expression of Endoglin (CD105) and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Head and Neck Arteriovenous Malformations

Endoglin (CD105) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) assist in regulating vascular development. Variation in expression of these factors is linked to errors in vascular growth and remodeling in invasive lesions. To clarify the role of endoglin and eNOS in the growth of extracranial head and neck arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), an invasive and high-flow vascular anomaly. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot study at an academic research center. Frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-processed human AVMs (n = 14) were examined for expression of CD105 and eNOS. Expression in infantile hemangiomas (n = 9) and in normal skin with subcutaneous tissue (n = 9) was used for comparison. Quantitative assessment and localization of CD105 and eNOS protein expression were performed on each specimen by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Protein expression levels were compared with β-actin level and were semiquantitatively assessed. Abundant CD105 protein was found in AVMs but was not present in infantile hemangiomas or normal skin with subcutaneous tissue. Expression of eNOS protein in AVMs and infantile hemangiomas was similar (P = .20) and was significantly greater than that in normal skin with subcutaneous tissue (P < .001 and P = .008, respectively). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that CD105 and eNOS are predominantly located in AVM vascular endothelial cells. CD105 and eNOS are present and significantly expressed in head and neck AVMs. Expression of CD105 and eNOS may have an important role in the angiogenesis and vascular remodeling of AVMs. CD105 can be used as a specific marker for AVM endothelial cells.

Diagnosis and Management of Extracranial Head and Neck Schwannomas: A Review of 27 Cases

Objectives. Clinical records of 27 patients with extracranial head and neck schwannoma were retrospectively reviewed. Methods. Ultrasonography (US) was performed in all cases. Seven patients underwent CT. Twenty-five patients underwent MRI. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed for 12 of the 27 patients. Clinical history, surgical data, and postoperative morbidity were analyzed. Results. The images of US showed a well-defined, hypoechoic, primarily homogeneous solid mass. At CT, only one of 7 cases (14%) was able to suggest the diagnosis of schwannoma. At MRI, twenty of 25 cases (80%) suggested the diagnosis of schwannoma. Only three of 12 cases (25%) displayed a specific diagnosis of schwannoma rendered on FNAC. The distribution of 27 nerves of origin was 10 (37%) vagus nerves, 6 (22%) sympathetic trunks, 5 (19%) cervical plexuses, 3 (11%) brachial plexuses, 2 (7%) hypoglossal nerves, and 1 (4%) accessory nerve. Complete tumor resection was performed in 11 patients, and intracapsular enucleation of the tumor was performed in 16 patients. The rate of nerve palsy was 100 (11/11) and 31% (5/16). Conclusions. MRI is sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of schwannoma. Intracapsular enucleation was an effective and feasible method for preserving the neurological functions.

Neuroradiology back to the future: head and neck imaging.

Imaging of the head and neck was initially described within the first year after Roentgen's discovery of the x-ray and was used to localize foreign bodies in the head and neck area, including the orbital, laryngeal, and esophageal regions. Subsequently, x-rays were used to evaluate the air-filled paranasal sinuses, the pneumatized temporal bone, and the upper aerodigestive tract. Special views for evaluating these structures were developed by early investigators. As contrast agents were developed, a variety of invasive procedures were developed to assess the structures of the head and neck. CT and MR imaging were applied to the extracranial head and neck slightly later than the brain and spine; these modalities revolutionized head and neck radiology, finally allowing assessment of the deeper structures of this complex anatomic region.

Novel application of T1‐weighted BLADE sequences with fat suppression compared to TSE in contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted imaging of the neck: Cutting‐edge images?

To evaluate if the use of BLADE sequences might overcome some limitations of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the extracranial head and neck, which is a diagnostically challenging area with a variety of artifacts and a broad spectrum of potential lesions. After informed consent and Institutional Review Board approval, two different BLADE sequences with (BLADE IR) and without inversion pulse (BLADE) were compared to turbo-spin echo (TSE) with fat saturation for coronal T1-weighted postcontrast imaging of the extracranial head and neck region in 40 individuals of a routine patient collective. Visual evaluation of image sharpness, motion artifacts, vessel pulsation, contrast of anatomic structures, contrast of pathologies to surrounding tissue as well as BLADE-specific artifacts was performed by two experienced, independent readers. Statistical evaluation was done by using the Wilcoxon test. Both BLADE and BLADE IR were significantly superior to TSE regarding pulsation artifacts and delineation of thoracic structures. TSE provided better results concerning contrast muscle/fat tissue and contrast lymph nodes/fat. More important, it showed significantly better contrast of several lesions, facilitating the detection of patient pathology. T1-weighted coronal imaging of the extracranial head and neck region is demanding. T1-weighted BLADE sequences still have drawbacks in anatomical contrast and lesion detection but offer possibilities to achieve reasonable image quality in difficult cases with a variety of artifacts.

Pictorial essay: Vascular interventions in extra cranial head and neck

Medicine is an ever changing field and interventional radiology (IR) procedures are becoming increasingly popular because of high efficacy and its minimally invasive nature of the procedure. Management of disease processes in the extra cranial head and neck (ECHN) has always been a challenge due to the complex anatomy of the region. Cross sectional imaging of the ECHN has grown and evolved tremendously and occupies a pivotal and integral position in the clinical management of variety of head and neck pathologies. Advances in angiographic technologies including flat panel detector systems, biplane, and 3-dimensional rotational angiography have consolidated and expanded the role of IR in the management of various ECHN pathologies. The ECHN is at cross roads between the origins of great vessels and the cerebral vasculature. Thorough knowledge of functional and technical aspects of neuroangiography is essential before embarking on head and neck vascular interventions. The vessels of the head and neck can be involved by infectious and inflammatory conditions, get irradiated during radiotherapy and injured due to trauma or iatrogenic cause. The ECHN is also a common site for various hypervascular neoplasms and vascular malformations, which can be treated with endovascular and percutaneous embolization. This pictorial essay provides a review of variety of ECHN pathologies which were managed by various IR procedures using different approaches.

Clinical Usefulness of Orbital and Facial Time-Resolved Imaging of Contrast KineticS (TRICKS) Magnetic Resonance Angiography

The clinical usefulness of orbital and facial Time-Resolved Imaging of Contrast KineticS (TRICKS) MRI was assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. A retrospective chart review of the years 2001 to 2011 was conducted at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Patients were selected based on tumor location (extracranial head and neck) and evaluation with TRICKS imaging at any stage of the clinical course. The TRICKS protocol presented in this article allows measurement of specific tumor characteristics including lesion morphology, vascular anatomy, flow dynamics within the lesion, rapidity and sequential nature of contrast enhancement, and lesion distensibility. Cases involving changes in diagnoses and/or management as a result of TRICKS interpretation are presented in detail. The imaging records of 49 patients were reviewed. Most lesions were located in or around the orbit (32 lesions, 65%). Benign vascular tumors comprised the largest subcategory (32 lesions, 65%) in the cohort. Of the 20 cases with histopathological data, interpretation of MRI with TRICKS magnetic resonance angiography successfully predicted 17 (85%). Characteristic enhancement patterns for the most commonly encountered lesions are presented, in addition to a qualitative analysis of how TRICKS contributed to select cases. TRICKS helped clarify diagnosis and/or redirect management in 19 of the 49 cases in this series. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the largest study to date of patients evaluated with TRICKS MRI/magnetic resonance angiography for orbital and facial tumors. MRI with TRICKS magnetic resonance angiography imaging protocol offers a minimally invasive, safe, and effective diagnostic instrument in selected patients with clinical diagnostic uncertainty and in those patients requiring high-resolution vascular mapping for management planning.

Extra-Cranial head and neck schwannomas: The McGill experience

Extra-Cranial head and neck schwannomas: The McGill experience

Diagnostic Accuracy of Computed Tomogram in the Evaluation of a Neck Mass

The concept of dividing extracranial head and neck into different spaces is a notion that dates back to the 1800s. Various studies have led to detailed description of the soft tissue spaces that are contained within the fascial layers. This study was carried out to determine the accuracy of computed tomogram (CT) in differentiating malignant from benign lesions in the neck, to study the spatial distribution of different types of histological groups in the neck and the prevalence of malignant versus benign diseases involving the neck. This was a hospital-based, prospective study conducted in the department of Radiodiagnosis, Kasturba Medical college, Mangalore, from 2005-2008. A hundred consecutive patients referred for CT scan examination presenting with complaints related to involvement of neck spaces or presence of palpable neck masses were enrolled in this study. The details of all the cases regarding their radiological findings and histopathology were reviewed. Of the 100 patients studied, 53 % had malignant lesions, out of which 43 % were squamous cell carcinoma and 4 % were metastatic lymph nodal involvement. Twenty percent of the lesions were of an infective origin while 23 % were benign and congenital cystic lesions. CT scan as an imaging modality has the ability to evaluate the malignant and benign tumors of the neck. Considering histopathology as the gold standard, the sensitivity of CT in detecting malignant/benign lesions was 96.5 % with a specificity of 100 %. The positive predictive value was 100 % and the negative predictive value 95.2 %.

Case 171: Facial Nerve Hemangioma

The patient’s imaging features, especially the honeycomb pattern of ossific changes in the geniculate fossa, were virtually pathognomonic for ossifying hemangioma of the facial nerve.

The role of ultrasound in the hands of oral and maxillofacial surgeons

Introduction: Significant advances in high resolution ultrasound technology have allowed maximal efficiency in the diagnosis of extracranial head and neck soft tissue. Although our specialist radiologists are providing vital services in staging and diagnosing complex head and neck conditions, there are diagnostic, anaesthetic and surgical procedures on superficial pathology and structures under ultrasound guidance which can be performed by surgeons with appropriate training. We present a list of procedures which can be performed by trained surgeons within the head and neck region.

Schwannomas of Head and Neck and Review of Literature

Benign nerve cell tumours have been given various names like schwannoma, neurilemmoma, neurinoma, neurofibroma, spindle cell tumours etc. Extra cranial head and neck schwannomas usually present as solitary and well-demarcated lesions. The lesion can cause secondary symptoms, such as nasal obstruction, dysphasia, and hoarseness, depending upon the location of the lesion. Fine needle aspiration cytology, CT scans, and MRI may be of limited help in the diagnosis of schwannomas. The treatment is complete surgical excision of the benign tumour and postoperative histopathological examination establishes the final diagnosis.

Safety and Clinical Efficacy of Onyx for Embolization of Extracranial Head and Neck Vascular Anomalies: Fig 1.

Onyx was developed for embolization of central nervous system AVMs but is increasingly used extracranially because of its unique physical properties. We review our experience and results with the use of Onyx for the treatment of fast-flow extracranial vascular lesions. We retrospectively analyzed clinical and imaging records of 22 patients who underwent 71 extracranial embolizations from March 2007 through January 2010. The diagnoses were the following: cervicofacial AVM (n = 18), traumatic fistula (n = 3), and vessel laceration (n = 1). In 62 of 71 procedures (87%), Onyx was the sole embolic agent; it was delivered transarterially in 67/71 and percutaneously in 4/71 procedures. Clinical goals included amelioration of pain and control of bleeding. The clinical efficacy of embolization was judged by symptom control, and adverse events were assessed by clinical examination and history, both postembolization and 4 weeks postprocedure. Cessation of acute bleeding was achieved in 13/14 cases, with 1 case of immediate recurrent massive epistaxis prompting reintubation and further embolization. Control of subacute bleeding episodes and pain was achieved for all patients. Following staged embolization, 7 patients underwent surgical resection without significant blood loss. Surgeons reported high satisfaction with the intraoperative handling properties of Onyx. Transient swelling, local tenderness, or numbness was encountered after 7 procedures. There were no stuck catheters, vessel dissections, or vessel ruptures and no skin discoloration. Staged Onyx embolization was clinically efficacious in managing extracranial fast-flow vascular malformations and lesions, with low associated morbidity.

Extra Vestibular Schwannoma: A Two Year Experience

We present series of head, neck extracranial non-vestibular schwannomas treated during 2-year period. All patients with head and neck schwannomas treated at our department from April 2007 to July 2009 were reviewed. There was female predominance (72%). The mean age at diagnosis was 38years. All (100%) presented with a neck mass. Most common nerves of origin were the vagus and the cervical sympathetic chain. Treatment for all cases was complete excision with nerve preservation. Among all schwannoma patients, postoperative neural deficit occurred in four with partial to complete resolution in three. The follow-up period was 24months. Non-vestibular extracranial head and neck schwannomas most frequently present as an innocuous longstanding unilateral parapharyngeal neck mass. Preoperative diagnosis may be aided by fine-needle cytology and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomographic imaging. The mainstay of treatment is complete intracapsular excision preserving the nerve of origin.

Extracranial head and neck schwannomas: a study of the nerve of origin

Schwannoma is a type of benign nerve sheath tumour arising from the Schwann cell. Because of the close relationship between the tumour and the nerve of origin (NOO), the operation of extracranial head and neck schwannoma may lead to palsy of major nerve. For this reason, an accurate diagnosis of schwannoma with the identification of the NOO is crucial to the management. The aim of this review was to find out the distribution of the NOO and the usefulness of the investigations in the diagnosis of schwannoma. Medical records of the patients who underwent operation of the extracranial head and neck schwannoma in our division were reviewed. Between January 2000 and December 2009, 30 cases of extracranial head and neck schwannoma were operated. Sympathetic trunk (10, 33%) and vagus nerve (6, 20%) were the two most common NOOs. In five (17%) cases, the NOO was not found to be arising from any major nerve. For these 30 patients, 20 received fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and 26 underwent imaging studies (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) before operation. The specificity of FNAC and imaging studies in making the diagnosis of schwannoma was 20 and 38%, respectively. For the patients who had nerve palsies on presentation, their deficits remained after operation. The rate of nerve palsy after tumour excision with division of NOO and intracapsular enucleation was 100 and 67%, respectively. The diagnosis of schwannoma is suggested by clinical features and supported by investigations. Most of the time, the diagnosis can only be confirmed on the histological study of the surgical specimen. Sympathetic trunk and vagus nerve are the two common NOOs. MRI is the investigation of choice in the diagnosis of schwannoma and the identification of NOO.